Christchurch's gayest church has reinvented itself by adopting a new name and embracing a more contemporary worship style. Faith into the future: Neil Hellewell Formerly known as All Saints Metropolitan Community Church, the small group of believers now call themselves Crave MCC @Christchurch after linking up with a similar dynamic young parish in Sydney. Still primarily aimed at meeting the spiritual needs of gays, lesbians and others in the LGBT community, the focus has been slightly broadened to reinforce the message that everyone else is welcome as well. Longtime parishioner and newly elected board member Marion Wilson describes the enhanced outreach approach as "total inclusivity regardless of sexuality, gender, marital status and anything else." She is one of a three-member local leadership team that also consists of brothers Neil and John Hellewell, both of whom have been with the congregation since shortly after its inception in the early 1990s. "Our Sunday services are now a tad less traditional," explains Neil Hellewell, who emphasises that the more 'dynamic' style doesn't mean watered down spirituality. "In fact, the 'Crave' idea was born out of a need to connect with God in a deeper way as we worship." The church's Sunday afternoon services include communion and informal get-togethers afterwards, and are now complemented by home group meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays where closer support and a more personal attention is possible. True to its founding principles, the Crave leaders are equipped to deal with personal issues that specifically affect the non-heterosexual community and it has two civil union celebrants. Coming-out support is also available. A new discipleship training series called Soul Shift, which was well received by MCC groups in the United States, will be studied soon during home group meetings. Sunday communion services are at 5pm at the church on Nancy Avenue, Marehau. More information about the church, its meetings and its homegroups can be found at: http://www.cravemcc.com/christchurch/.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Monday, 13th July 2009 - 1:50pm